The European pro racing season opened officially with the " Mallorca Challenge " today. The challenge is not a stage race, there is no official GC and riders do not have to ride every stage to start the next day. A good thing too! A rock slide part way through the race prevented 56 of the 210 starters from crossing the finish line.

Nothing was going to stop Zabel though as he outsprinted Teutenberg, Steels and the pack to claim his first win of the season.

800.com announced their team roster for 2001. Returning are Leah Goldstein, Lysle Wilhelmi and Stacey Peters. Among the newcomers is Gina Grain. Well known by her presence on the national mountain bike scene, Gina will spend more time on the road in 2001.